Three Portals…pink triangle 1977

Editor: So, here we have Joyce Kozloff's "Three Portals…pink triangle" from 1977, done in mixed media. I find it quite vibrant; almost aggressively patterned. There's a definite rhythm to the composition. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see echoes of cultural memory striving to be born. Notice the title – "Three Portals...pink triangle." Portals often symbolize thresholds, transitions. Consider the patterns themselves. Some resemble Islamic tilework, a cultural touchstone. And what about the pink triangle? Editor: I always thought the pink triangle was a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community... Curator: Precisely. It originated as a Nazi concentration camp badge, later reclaimed as a symbol of queer liberation. In 1977, this reclamation was still very fresh. Kozloff layers cultural signifiers—ornamentation with coded messages, so to speak. This layering suggests hidden histories and the act of rediscovering, reinterpreting them. Editor: It’s like she's weaving together different historical threads, maybe even critiquing how symbols can be repurposed. Curator: Yes! She’s asking us to confront how visual languages—decorative or political—carry baggage. What do these repeating geometries mean when juxtaposed? It creates tension. Think of patterns as cultural DNA – each repeat holds collective knowledge. What happens when you deliberately misplace or distort that repetition? Editor: That’s a completely different perspective from what I had at first! It's more than just surface decoration; it's a story about symbols and power. Curator: Indeed. Symbols rarely exist in isolation; context shapes everything. Consider what else was happening culturally in 1977. This work becomes a poignant reminder of visual vocabulary's enduring power. Editor: I’m walking away with a fresh view on this artwork. It is amazing to consider it on multiple layers, as Kozloff has used symbols as keys to history.